BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Recently I purchased this Mark's Models Bushwacker. I love to build kits and especially if it is something a bit different from the ordinary. The build started a day or so ago and I would appreciate any info if anyone ever built or flown one of these. Of course, opening a kit that has been unbothered since the 70s is a thrill. Neat stuff inside. There was a form to fill in and mail(no internet) for a subscription to Time Magazine. A mail in form to order addtional building supplies from Tower Hobbies. The fifty plus page assembly/instruction manual is printed on glossy high quality paper. Humor is dispersed throughout the manual. Plus, there is an order form to get the latest Kraft 7-channel radio system. Many neat features include: build your own motor mount, build your own wheel pants, build your own muffler, tail wheel built into the bottom of the rudder with a fairing, wing tip wash out(lower angle of wing at the tip compared to the wing root, etc. The plans were folded and reaching the limit of their life but a local blue print shop made me two copies for $3.98.

The plane is designed for .15 to .19 sized engines even though it has a 68" wingspan. I'm planning to use an OS 25 FP since it is dimensionally the same as the OS 20 FP(very close to .19) and I have a brand new one on hand. Again, if anyone has experience with this kit, please post it. Build pictures will follow.

Added May 25, 2010: See post #26 for maiden flight report.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Some more pics.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

That does look like a good flying machine. I like that era ... late '60s to early '70s.

Be interesting to see whether it comes in at 3 lbs, dry. :D

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

THAT is one BEAUTIFUL flying bird - you will sure enjoy flying it. Congrats! Good choice IMHO....

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Just so you know. I saw one of these go for $125 on Ebay a few minutes ago. Somebody tried to snipe it but the original bidder had bid too high.... I wonder HOW high he was willing to go???

There is no way I'd try to build the kit as original. Instead I'd send it to someone like Lazerworks and have them reproduce it, to build from that. then I'd take and make a bunch of copies of the plans. That way others could also have a chance to build one, I'd have a nice lazercut kit with good wood, and still keep an obvious collector kit, "just in case" I needed some funds.

Mike

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

A couple of problems with your plan. The kit plans do not show the rib profiles(tapered wing) and does not show but one cross section of fuse bulkheads. Many other parts are not shown on the plans. Right now I am struggling with the canopy. Parts are referenced in the instructions but not shown on the plans. The die-cut parts are all of good quality, so lazer cutting would not gain you a lot.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

I am the guy that paid $125 which was my top bid. Lost one a few weeks ago so I set the bid kind of high.
I think the owner zoomed me, but I really wanted it.
I have paid $80 for park fliers with far less material in them so I feel it was a good deal.

I had one when I was a kid and really liked it. Me and my buddy flew it for years and finally wore it out. We taught countless people to fly with it. Had an old clapped out OS 23 on it, but had plenty of power, just not unlimited vertical:p)

This one will get brushless power, digital servos in the back for R & E, aileron wing servos, whatever else cool modern stuff I can think of.

Building a Super Pacer first and will watch this build thread with much interest.

I do like the idea of getting the kit scanned or duplicated so it could be laser cut. think the rib sheets could be scanned? Personally I think this kit should be re kitted. Would have to be laser cut, nobody would make steel rule dies anymore.

I am pretty sure it would cost more than $125 though. I was looking at a modern kitted Curare and it's well over $200. Will build that one day as well, also Electric.

Jeff

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

I got this one on that auction site for $142 plus shipping. I am about two weeks from completion. Will post some pictures of the build soon.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Check out this thread. It is very possible to get parts from die-cut sheets without removing the parts;

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1296519/tm.htm

I know of a couple of guys that have sent complete kits to Lazerworks and they were able to reproduce enough parts to build from. Check out his prices... VERY REASONABLE. I've got a few kits I'm planning to send.

I'd love to build one of these. I just picked up an Enya .19X that would be perfect for this plane.

Mike

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

A bit of progress. Interesting, frustrating, challenging are all adjectives to describe this build. I've never built a kit that required building the wheel pants from balsa and plywood. And the removable motor mount must be built using ply and hard wood. Many items are referenced in the build instructions and not shown on the plans. This would certainly be a challenge for a new kit builder.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Back in the late 70's or early 80's a friend of mine had a Bushwacker. They had me test fly it. It was a very nice little airplane, pretty quick, if I remember and looks like a B52 when on final.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Did the kit really come with a muffler like it says on the box label?

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Yes, but it has to be built from thin ply. It is then attached and forms part of the cowl.

Oh, how I appreciate BTE(Bruce Tharpe Engineering) designed kits and those from your SIG days. What a joy to build them(Venture, Vortex, Flyin' King, Wonder, etc.). I'm still waiting for Reaction prop model:):)

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Airbusdrvr

Build looks good so far. Took stock of my kit and found it to be short the wheels and assembly manual. Any way you could scan yours to PDF?
Any Mfgr's numbers on the wheels? I'll seek out some kraft wheels if I can't fins OEM

The Bushwacker I had as a kid had a plywood muffler which worked well but did not last long.

Jeff

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

He looks so similar to the Prather Panther of the same era, I don't know, maybe.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

I had one 10 years ago. It flew great on a OS .25 FP. As I recall it was pretty fast with that Motor. I ended selling at auction because I wanted to build something else. It was one I should have kept....D

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

One up on the auction site [link=http://cgi.ebay.com/BUSHWACKER-R-C-AIRPLANE-/330432609500?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Radio_Control_Vehicle s&hash=item4cef517cdc]Bushwacker for sale[/link]

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

From the look of the outside of the box, the wrinkled pages and what appears to be stained balsa, I'd suspect this kit may have water damage. Compare to pics in post #1 and #2 above.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

A progress report: All the major pieces are together and I'm ready to start covering. The wheel pants, landing gear wire, battery box cover(more later) and servo hatches are at the painter so they are not shown. All my preliminary equipment placement shows that the airplane will require weight in the tail. I'm always loath to add weight if the battery or other equipment can be repositioned. So the battery is mounted in a removable box in the fuse bottom aft of the wing. The total weight(with the wing servos in place) so far is 28oz( 1 3/4 lb.). I believe I will be able to easily meet the designed AUW of 3 1/2 lbs.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

Nice,

Are you going to duplicate the finishing scheme on the box?

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

I wish I were that clever at trim designs:) I'm just finishing the basic covering and have been contemplating what my skill level will allow. It will probably be something similar to one of the pics below.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

I had covered mine in coverite and painted close to the box sceme. After a lot of hanger rash it got painted safety orange. Hard to miss in the sky. No pics from that era.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

A little more progress. All the electronics are installed and the basic covering is complete. A lot of little finishing chores remain, aileron gap seal, balance prop, test run engine, connect the fuel lines, etc.

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

That was quick! Maiden will happen on......

RE: BUSHWACKER, MARK'S MODELS, 1970s
 

The lines of the plane looked a lot like a racer so I decided to put a number on it for trim purposes. As mentioned in an earlier post, I wish I were more imaginative and skilled at detailing. The tail skid needs to be lengthened, the fuel lines connected and the engine run test completed. Probably will try the first flight next Tuesday. Our flying field has the grass mowed on Mondays at noon. The grass will be nice and short Tuesday AM.